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About Me

Hi there, I’m Lauren! Thanks for stopping by! Midwest born and raised, I’m currently residing in the Windy City after a brief three year run in Dallas. During the day (and sometimes night) I work in commercial real estate finance, but my passions are food, Pilates and yoga (in that order).

Fun Fact: I’ve been an avid reformer Pilates student since 2010 and an Instructor since 2014. If you live in the Chicago area, you can find me teaching classes at Flex Pilates Chicago, and teaching SUP Pilates on Lake Michigan in the summers with Chicago Paddle Company – would love to see you in class!

Growing up with a fantastic in-home chef (hi, mom!), I was destined to be a foodie. But oh the struggles of trying to be a fit foodie. I believe a great Philosopher once said, “Eat clean to stay fit, have a burger to stay sane.” Oh wait, no, that was Gigi Hadid. Preach, girl. I’ve come to learn (over many years of trial and error) that it is so important to find, and allow, balance between the “fit” and the “sane”; which, for me, I’ve found is roughly a 70/30 balance. Trying to be strictly fit all the time was just not sustainable and would eventually result in a period of major regression. I must admit, though, that a big part of the problem was what I thought “clean eating” entailed. One can only eat like a rabbit for so long before they lose their sh*t and end up elbows deep in a tub of ice cream.

Thankfully, how I define “clean eating” has evolved and incorporates a more rounded approach to health and wellness. When it comes to cooking and eating, I have fun with taking healthy, whole ingredients, and turning them into something that seems a little more decadent. My diet tends to gravitate towards healthy fats, smart carbs, and high protein. I am not vegan, vegetarian, lactose, gluten-free, etc., nor do I have any other dietary restrictions or known food allergies. I don’t believe in “diets” and have a long distance relationship with my scale. I am always conscious of where my food comes from, what the ingredients are and how they affect my body, and ultimately I choose what works best for me. My goal is to show you how creative (and satisfying) “clean” can be, to help you find a balance that works for you!

When I am not at work or in the kitchen, you can probably find me one of four places: at the Pilates studio, at the yoga studio, out exploring the city (translation: eating amazing food and drinking adult beverages) with friends, or watching crime shows with my tabby, Nemo (#catlady).

Notice: All photos and content are proprietary, please do not redistribute without permission.

Disclaimer: I am not, nor do I claim to be, a doctor, nutritionist, or dietitian. All of the opinions here are expressly my own, are for informational purposes only, and should not be considered medical advice. Before starting any new diet and/or exercise program please check with your doctor and clear any exercise and/or diet changes with them before beginning.

Let’s Meet

Hi there, I'm (you guessed it) Lauren! Lover of all things food, I'm always trying to find balance between Pilates and pizza, and this is how I do it.